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Yamaha Introduces MT-07: Lightweight, Affordable 689cc Twin

More news from Milan includes the Yamaha MT-07, a 689cc parallel twin that weighs only 394 pounds (wet, with a full tank of gas). At this point it appears to be a European model, not coming to the US.

Following the FZ-09 that we enjoyed so much, the MT-07 (will there eventually be a U.S. model FZ-07?) offers the same sort of uncluttered, basic riding goodness. By comparison, it makes more power and torque (on paper, at least) than the healthy Kawasaki Ninja 650, but it has a curb weight 66 pounds lighter.

Here are all the details from Yamaha:

Exciting, accessible and affordable

The affordable new MT-07 is going to introduce newly qualified riders to everything that is best about real motorcycling – and it’s also ready to remind those more experienced riders what they’ve been missing for all these years.

Our designers have focused on the things that really matter to riders. So they developed an economical 689cc inline 2-cylinder engine that produces more riding excitement per cc thanks to its deep and linear torque at low to mid speeds.

And for instant controllability and easy handling we’ve equipped this accessible new naked bike with one of the lightest, slimmest and most agile chassis designs in the class.

All-new 689cc inline 2-cylinder engine

What gives the new MT-07 such a special character is its all-new 689cc inline 2-cylinder engine which has been developed using Yamaha’s ‘crossplane philosophy’. With an uneven firing interval, the 270-degree crank gives a strong feeling of acceleration and great traction, and the deep linear torque ensures outstanding performance.

Light and slim tubular backbone frame

For easy manoeuvrability and remarkable agility, the new MT-07 runs with a light and slim steel backbone-type frame that utilizes the new engine as a stressed member. Combined with its compact wheelbase and plush suspension systems, this strong and light chassis gives a responsive and engaging ride.

Engineered for optimum riding enjoyment

This exciting new addition to the MT range has been designed to deliver high levels of riding enjoyment together with a feeling of instant controllability. Chassis dimensions and weight distribution have been carefully set to maximize the enjoyment felt during acceleration and give the rider a connected feel with the motorcycle.

Responsive performance with affordability and economy

With its all-new liquid-cooled engine, lightweight backbone frame and cutting edge style, the MT-07 is a remarkably versatile naked bike that succeeds in combining responsive performance with an affordable price and outstanding fuel economy – making it an ideal motorcycle for both newer and returning riders.

Mass-forward design and sculpted body

The new MT-07 is characterized by its mass-forward design that emphasizes its athletic build and creates an immediate feeling of power. The slim fuel tank accentuates the bike’s compact looks and offers excellent knee grip – while the lightweight air scoops and aluminium side covers give the MT a sporty and purposeful image.

Characteristic MT-styling features

With its angular mirrors, LED tail light and mass-forward body design, there’s no mistaking the MT-07’s resemblance to the bigger 850cc 3-cylinder MT-09. Other family features include the lightweight cast aluminium 10-spoke wheels as well as the Z-shape formed by the air intake-style scoops and the exhaust down pipes.

120 Comments

A parallel twin with 270-degree crank is a lot like a 90-degree V-twin with single crank throw. The firing intervals are 270-450, which is less uniform than the so-called 360-degree crank, where there is a single crank throw and where the firing intervals are 360-360. It is more uniform than the more common 180-degree crank, which uses a flat crank with throws separated by 180 degrees, where the firing intervals are 180-540. The balance characteristics are similarly a compromise between the 180-degree and 360-degree parallel twins. As with the 90-degree V-twin using a single crank throw, the ongoing exchange of kinetic energy between the pistons and the crankshaft is reduced as compared to either of the two other parallel twins, where both pistons come to a full stop simultaneously. The same occurs with the 90-degree V-twin, and this is sometimes claimed to offer specific advantages, but it likely has no benefit the possiblity of allowing the engine to idle more smoothly, at slightly lower RPM. Crankshaft torque exhibits positive and negative peaks through every 720 degrees of rotation. The particular way in which crankshat torque fluctuates is different for each different engine architecture. The three different crankshaft types used in parallel twins each come with a unique character characteristic in the fluctuation of crankshaft torque over the 720 degree rotation interval. I looked into this with some care a couple of years ago, I do not recall with certainty, but I think that whith the 270-degree crank, there is a pronounced peak in torque once every 720 degrees, that does not occur with either of the other parallel twins, even though the firing intervals are actually more uniform as compared to the 180-degree twin.

I guess as long as the crank doesn’t break in two somewhere down the road we’re OK.

0044 in the morning? Reminds me of a cartoon in the original VW Repair for Dummies manual where the author is laying startled in bed having just woken up from a dream in which the entire exploded engine diagram was visualized…

The biggest difference in shaft output is that without the “all stop” of a 180 or 360 crank, there is no back torque, which is very significant. It is the reason that all Moto GP engines are either V or cross-plane architecture.

Wondering why Yamaha isn’t bringing this to the states I went back and looked at all the FZ-09 reviews to see just how close the bikes are to each other. Of course, there are no MT-07 rides reviews yet but I would think it will seem like a lighter slimmer less touchy MT-09 without the big power hit.

The bikes are pretty far apart powerwise, the FZ09 is powerful and touchy enough to benefit from changeable engine maps. And why would Yamaha limit the top speed to 132MPH? I would assume there is no limit on the MT-07,and because the specific engine output is much lower – 107 HP/L vs 135 HP/L I also assume the engine will be much easier going. I still don’t see why Yamaha wouldn’t try to take some of the CBR500 and Kawasaki 650 business with this bike. The FZ-09 is definitely punching into liter bike performance territory.

My vague feelings that I’d rather have the MT-07 have hardened into a conviction – I want this over the FZ09 and I’m willing to wait for it a little longer.

I owned MT-03 for five years in Europe. Fun, fun, fun. I rode it on a daily basis. I sold my car and used it for commuting. I moved to the States and I see they added a new member to the family targeting power demanding users. Definitely I’d buy it, though MT-03 looks better to me.

I don’t think they’re ignoring the US, there just isn’t enough business happening here to warrant flooding the market with too many models. If they over extend then the profit goes away in other costs.

I do wish we could get this one though. I’d prefer it to the FZ-09 for our market.

FYI gents, a lil’ factoid you’re prolly not aware of. you won’t be readily swapping out the canisters for more style and sound on these bikes. both this and the FZ9 exhausts are a 1 piece affair header to outlet. you’re either modding…? or coming off the dime for a full system. which considering it’s looks, you might already be inclined to do anyway. but see, the reoccurring theme of “no free lunch” reveals itself yet again.

Nice looking bike, someone actually put some thought into this bike, affordable, fun and light wait. what else can you ask for , specially as a commuter bike, how many gallons of gas does the tank hold?

I just noticed something promising in the listed specs: no mention of those ridiculous Drive modes that plague the FZ-09 with unnecessarily crappy throttle response. This one looks to be simpler, and therefore likely less annoying.

Wonder why they went to the trouble of adding style-enhancing shrouds to the radiator on this one, while leaving the FZ-09’s ugly radiator just sitting out there in the open? Pick one way or the other, but they should do it the same on both bikes.

Never been a fan of electronic rider aids / drive modes – learn some throttle control ie when road conditions are less than ideal, ease up on the item controlled by the right hand. I’d rather see the production cost of electronic drive mode equipment directed to suspension and braking componentry.

2 comments:
1) most buyers of this bike will never adjust their suspension. They have no idea what to do with the suspension and they will just ride it. That saves them the $ of more expensive suspension components.

Those that want better suspension would not be satisfied with the upgrades you mention and would upgrade further to better valving in the forks and a good aftermarket shock as well thus those folks also save $ on not paying for the mild upgrades you refer to and then upgrading the components to what they really want.

Very few buyers would be satisfied with 2 year old R6 components and leave it alone.

2) KTM690 suspension has been dumbed down as well so you will have to upgrade it’s suspension as well now.

George, while I agree that many buyers of this bike won’t know the difference, I believe that many will. This bike is going after SV650 buyers (and Ninja 650 twin buyers I suppose). While many SV riders were newbies and budget minded folks, a great many of them were experienced enthusiasts who didn’t want or need 4 cylinder super-sports but still wanted good suspension and brakes. Many an SV were converted with GSXR front ends and rear shocks from SuperSports. Many SVs were (and are still) used for racing and track days.

Many in the SV community asked for (and never received) an upgraded “R’ version of the SV .. ie one with better suspension and brakes straight from Suzuki. Of those who upgraded to GSXR take offs (myself included), I never once heard one say that the excellent GSRX suspension was not good enough .. or that they needed Ohlins etc. The readily available parts totally transformed the budget SV into a capable sports bike.

Its just that the transplant is time consuming and not something a novice mechanic should be doing.

I think many riders would pay an extra thousand bucks to have an adjustable cartridge fork, a better quality rear shock and stronger, more precise brakes on this type of bike. On a light weight twin, handling is everything imho.

As for the KTM 690, your right. I would buy the last series Duke which was better looking and with better spec. The new one looks awful!

Why not have the same high-quality/capability components across the board for similar-sized bikes? Seems like it would actually be less expensive to manufacture and support as you would be buying fewer items in greater quantity and have the same parts/service across multiple models. But if you did that, how could you justify the higher price of the “racy” bikes? Could it be (like in the auto world where the cost of manufacturing ANY car is about the same and the cost of manufacturing trucks is far less, but compare the purchase prices…) that the components selected has more to do with MSRP justification than anything else?

All in the numbers and their market research. Apparently their research says the market price at this price point this is the level of sophistication needed by that budget minded buyer.

I absolutely agree with you, they COULD easily upgrade the bike with better components. And yes I am very familiar with the SV650 as I own one myself.

A middle ground I would like to see the MFRs do is to settle on a standard dimension of the steering head so that any front end would bolt right on. Similarly they could settle on a standard shock size and attachment point types so the shocks would be easier to swap as well.

An upgrade kit from the factory would be $2500 and very few are going to spend that on a bike that is probably only $6500 or so MSRP.

What is more likely is to install parts off an R6 and it would be nice for Yamaha to think that upgrade through by having the steering head the same dimensions so the R6 forks and triples would bolt right up.

Triumph’s classics have had a 865cc twin for some time. Why is this better than those? Maybe it will have more output? I don’t know, but I think the Bonneville or one of the others is probably more enjoyable over the long haul.

Well, If you are asking why that means you have not owned a Bonnie. I did – heavy, drone engine, and the suspension is truly dismal until you racetech the forks and fork over for some good shocks.

The Bonnie pushes 500 pounds curb weight, has maybe 15 less horses and costs ??? more. Since we don’t have a price for the MT-07 who knows, but if the FZ09 is a guide the MT will be thousands less than the Bonnie.

If both were available I would be hard press to choose. I do enjoy getting everything from an engine. With the FZ09 you will be exercising caution with the throttle all the time.

15 pounds would mean nothing to me if I wanted the big power. The FZ09 is way light enough. But 70+ HP is enough for me, so I would probably take the even lighter narrower (cheaper?) bike. I would hope the throttle is smoother as I would certainly ride this on dirt roads.

I really love the 270 degree engine,riding position and running gear and dream of this engine in my KLR. It’s a real shame about the double dose of preying mantis ugly served up by the FZ09 and 07 though. Fake scoops for your inner 5 YR old and passenger accommodations dictated by “style” that only a 5FT tall 18YR old woman can tolerate. Yamaha should consider widening their marketing base to include people who want/need to ride two up and like less polarizing styling.

Wow – Yamaha’s latest offerings with this bike and the MT09 are just such a breath of fresh air from comparable over weight and over optioned models produced by their competition.

The bore / stroke ratio of this twin at 1.17 suggests good torque at relatively low revs and useful power into the upper rev range. Light, lively and uncluttered – this bike should be immensely versatile, fuel efficient and straight out fun.

Thinking of the success that was had by some clever tuners using the 650 Kaw motor on dirt tracks this year. Now a Yamaha twin with a 270 degree crank that should work even better, somebody call King Kenny, he could get that thing in this country.

Kind of strange, the bikes are so similar. I wonder it we will ever see this in the US? If it does eventually come in a “adventure” I hope it’s kept simple and light – typical 17″/19″ wheel format, small windscreen (no fairing please!) another inch of travel, another gallon of gas. AND DON’T “DETUNE” THE ENGINE!

Tell me again exactly how and why you need more street performance than this? Imagine the money saved, not only on the purchase price, but every single day thereafter: service, tires, chain, brakes, insurance, yearly registration, fuel…………..

Well, I’m NOT interested in this bike. For all of you who have repeatedly saturated these posts with demands for triple engine configurations and light weight, here you damn well go. Yamaha addressed your griping and served you up a heaping helping to boot just to satiate your hue and cries. But you know what, I bet most of you don’t even want such a motorcycle. Instead, I think you just want to feel like your voice is heard by the companies who build these things. Me, I’ll take my 800 lb solid steel cruiser and ride into the sunset with a gleam on my fender and a twinkle in my eye.

Anti NormG, you should try new things, you might be shocked at what you’re missing (just as Japanese sport aficionados should be open minded to trying cruising.) There is a lot of fun to be had on light, nimble bikes that wheelie and corner, especially nakeds that have decent ergonomics. If you tried one you would probably be shocked what you’re missing. Plus, you don’t feel obligated to wear black when it’s 105 outside.

Cruisers are nice and relaxing, but lacking much of the fun quotient, though there is something to be said for slowing down, relaxing and enjoying a beautiful day going relatively slow on a cruiser. To me, it just depends on my mood as to which kind of bike I pull out of the garage. However, having both a cruiser and a high HP bike, if forced to live with only one, I’d take the lighter, more powerful bike every time. You can go slow on either kind of bike if you’re disciplined enough (admittedly I’m not) but a cruiser can only go so fast and cornering is always going to be limited. But it is nice to have the option.

Another seemingly impressive high bang for the buck offering from Yamaha. But like the FZ-09, the styling is yet again a love it or leave it proposition. This one looks like it includes two portable hand vacuum cleaners, each attached on either side of the gas tank (itself shaped somewhat like a beluga whale).

As they started from scratch, I’m guessing that the styling of this bike is intentional. Alas, bad design costs just as much as good design. The good thing is that you can’t watch yourself ride by as you’re out riding around. And I’m guessing that would be a hoot on this bike.

not rigged, a business. all for-profit entities (bar none) apply controls to manage outcomes and maximize returns. “chance” is never part of the vocabulary. hell, it’s not even part of the vocabulary of 501c’s.

re: “a business. all for-profit entities (bar none) apply controls to manage outcomes and maximize returns. “chance” is never part of the vocabulary. hell, it’s not even part of the vocabulary of 501c’s.”

From a styling standpoint, I’m definitely in the ‘leave it” camp. But that’s okay. A polarizing design is much more of an attention getter (for better or worse) than a design that simply makes people go “meh”.

So, for every person like me who’s thinking “man is that thing ugly”, there is bound to be someone like you thinking “what a beauty”. That is bound to drive more sales than if we were both to think “whatever”.

It in my opinion it’s a good looking bike and there is potentially a lot to like about it, we will have to wait for the reviews. What I don’t like right off the bat; it’s not destined for the USA. With the right accessories, it could be a commuters dream and a great all purpose daily rider.

Regardless of how negatively the execution of this thing is affected by the various budget-cutting measures, you have to hand it to Yamaha for the effort. Instead of simply plodding along with more of the same ol’, same ol’, they’re trying something different, and it’s a move in the right direction: simple, fun, affordable…and unique.

Honda’s also trying to cover the simple and affordable thing with their entry-level offerings, though they seem to be skimping on the ‘fun’ and ‘unique’ aspects there. Then again, no one can accuse their latest run of plastic-enshrouded luxo-barges of not being…ahem…unique.

Man, where is Suzuki in all this? Do they ever plan on introducing an exciting new product again? I mean, one that wasn’t styled by Shrek’s cataracts-addled grandmother?

And I can’t believe that this bike is actually almost 10 lbs LIGHTER than the new Suzuki GW250. I agree with VLJ. I think Yamaha is on the right track here. I could actually see myself buying this bike. Where Honda seems to be banking on “cheap, fat, and boring”, Yamaha seems to be going with “cheap, lithe, and exciting”. It’s definitely a more exciting direction.

Nice, seems like the mt09 it’s going to define the line or aesthetics of the line for Yamaha… I wonder how much extra percentage would add to the price make it triple instead of twin at that displacement?

On the good side”
Look better than a lot of competition, rising the bar even a bit it’s better for the consumer, like the details of the exhaust under the engine, details on the swingarm and even the shared looks with the triple, aluminum details for the sides and double front disc.

Let’s wait for the price and performance figures.

On the “yeah, ahum, I believe you tell me more”
“light and slim steel backbone-type frame” = cheap and heavy
“and plush suspension systems” = cheap and easy bottomed
“responsive performance with an affordable price and outstanding fuel economy” three things that never come together if you are an engineer
Wheelie photo have the front wheel static therefore were done playing with the clutch not a power wheelie

Wow, what a great time to be a motorcycle enthusiast. There is like a Renaissance going on here, and the bikes are still so cheap, cheap, cheap. The Big 4 seem to believe that the Great Recession is over in the U.S. and it’s not coming back for a while.

It has an extra cylinder and water cooling, but the bike reminds me alot of the old SRX600.

This is a very cool bike but I am surprised that is so similar in form to the FZ09. I would’ve thought it smarter to make this a different flavor initially to avoid cannibalizing the FZ09 sales. We shouldn’t get our hopes yet. No word on whether this will come stateside.

I am very interested in bikes like this: moderate yet accessible power combined with lightweight body and good fuel economy. I just wish their marketing department would stop these references to ‘crossplane philosophy’ – crossplane is not a magic word and it is not a philosophy, it’s just a shape of a crankshaft! And it is complete nonsense in the context of a twin engine so just drop it, would you?

Crossplane means one or more pistons is always in motion.
A 360 or 180 degree twin would not qualify since their pistons reach TDC and BDC at the same times and both come to a complete stop.
The 270 degree crank means when one piston is a TDC, the other is halfway through it’s stroke. It seems like that IS Yamaha’s philosophy since the creation of the YZR-M1.

As far as I’m concerned ‘crossplane’ refers simply and exclusively to the shape of the crankshaft, namely it forms the figure of the cross: ‘+’ when looked at from the end. Twin cylinder cannot be crossplane, and neither can a triple strictly speaking, since its crankshaft can form a ‘T’, or a ‘Y’ shape, but not a ‘+’.

Crossplane means exactly that: the planes created by the crank offsets intersect at 90° (and would form a cross if you drew the planes out. A 270° twin is indeed a crossplane configuration. Now if Yamaha had called it a crosscrank, then I would agree with you.

I did 20 laps on a Daytona 675 at Miller Motorsports Park via the local dealer a couple of years ago.

The bike is light, nimble and eminently flick-a-ble – & it has the best midrange of the 600 class supersports.

I know, the triple motor and bump in displacement make this possible – that’s why anyone wanting this should just get it. And while you’re at it, you might as well get the R if you’re going to ride it at the track.